Academy Award winner Kevin Costner believes America is worth protecting and that people should put aside their own interests to work for the good of the nation.
Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Costner has long been an outspoken advocate for America, believing it is a nation worth protecting and celebrating. In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Costner shared his thoughts on the importance of putting aside personal egos and working together for the good of the country.
"It is an opportunity to look back at the journey of America, and before America was America," Costner said of the Fourth of July. "There is something to protect here. There is something to celebrate."
Kevin Costner: America Is 'Something to Protect,' Not for Ego
For Costner, protecting America means putting the needs of the nation first and setting aside personal agendas. "In his opinion, Americans will not be able to "protect anything by putting our ego first," and everyone should make it a priority to do "what is good for the nation."
Costner believes that true leadership requires a person to put aside their ego and focus on the needs of the country. "It requires a very evolved personality" to be able to do so, he said.
Kevin Costner: America Is 'Something to Protect,' Not for Ego
The actor has spoken out about his love for America many times in the past. His most recent film, "Horizon: An American Saga," is essentially a love letter to American history, detailing the expansion of the American West and how the country grew to spread from ocean to ocean.
One of the main themes of the film is the darker side of history, detailing the plight of Native Americans during that time. "You can't tell the story unless you bump into that. You can't talk about anything without understanding who was here before us," he told Entertainment Weekly in May 2024. "Our national appetite ran over culture after culture, with a high level of genocide. The people that were here for thousands of years were suddenly an inconvenience in their own land, and we should never forget that."
Kevin Costner: America Is 'Something to Protect,' Not for Ego
Costner's love for America is evident in his new film, "Horizon: An American Saga." (Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Warner Bros)
Costner felt so passionately about the importance of "Horizon" reaching a nationwide audience, he self-funded the film, putting up over $20 million from his personal bank account.
Kevin Costner: America Is 'Something to Protect,' Not for Ego
Along with Costner, the film also stars Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Jena Malone and Abbey Lee. Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jeff Fahey, Will Patton, Tatanka Means, Owen Crow Shoe and Ella Hunt round out the star-studded cast.
Costner took the opportunity to spend more time with his kids while making the film, casting two of his children in small parts.
Kevin Costner: America Is 'Something to Protect,' Not for Ego
"They're all supportive of each other," Costner confessed to Fox News Digital in June, shortly after revealing his 15-year-old son Hayes is also in the film. "My oldest son was in a scene in chapter two, and, a small part again. I just try to find ways to trap them."
Two of Costner's seven children are in "Horizon: An American Saga." (Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)
Kevin Costner: America Is 'Something to Protect,' Not for Ego
Hayes will appear in part one of the film series, while his older son – it's unclear whom exactly – will make his appearance in part two. Costner told Fox News Digital watching Hayes work while on set was special for him.
"That he did it, that he was good in it, that he listened, that he was worried, that he cared… I'm just so happy that he has that now the rest of his life," Costner said. "I haven't pushed my children into this, and this might be his only dabble in it, but he's memorable. And for me to have him, I'll never forget it."
